Rangers slam Everton's Jelavic for non-quit claims

The Croatian international striker departed Ibrox on Tuesday to sign a contract with the Toffees then later said he did not force a move out of the Glasgow giants.

But the club's chief operations officer Ali Russell has revealed that Jelavic in fact did ask for a transfer.

"Nikica told Ally McCoist personally on Monday he wanted to move to the English Premier League so to suggest he didn't want to leave Rangers is nonsense," said Russell.

"Nikica, and indeed his family, were widely quoted throughout January about playing in England and his agent also communicated the fact he wanted to achieve a lifetime ambition and test himself in the Premier League.

"He wants to earn a starting place for Croatia at Euro 2012 and felt a move to England's top flight would help him achieve that.

"Nikica was a terrific player for Rangers and we wish him well at Everton but to suggest he was forced to leave Ibrox is just ridiculous."